Blood Moon (31 page)

Aria, you can’t!

I will.
She didn’t have to add anything else. Lukas huffed, but didn’t say anything.

Tessa nodded. “Fine. You may make your goodbyes then the Challengers will meet in the center of the circle. Aria, you and your friends will remain near the Council for the duration.”

A few of the Council members left to help the guards light three more bonfires around the edges of the circle Tessa created. She backed around the field, hands outstretched to the ground. From her palms, glowing gold dust fell, illuminating a perfect circle on the ground. Mixed with moonlight, it shined with a soft blue glow. When she finished, the circle flared briefly and then became a part of the ground itself, mimicking the orb traveling overhead.

“Lukas, you have no idea how glad I am to see you.” Thaddeus clapped a hand on his Alpha’s back.

Aaron approached, and they stared at one another for a moment. “Sebastian?”

Lukas ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Haemon had been dream-walking through his head for months. Used his subconscious against us. He set me up. I took care of him before I escaped.”

Aria winced. She didn’t need to hear details to know Sebastian’s death hadn’t been pretty.

“How long have you known about Aria?” Lukas stared at each of them in turn. Thaddeus and Lawrence exchanged a confused glance.

Aaron sighed. “A week.”

Ella fell to his glare, smiling weakly. “About two hours.”

Thaddeus held up his hands. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

Lukas cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

“They don’t know, Lukas. Cern’s been helping me mask the scent for weeks. Until tonight.”

Lawrence moved closer, breathing deeply. His eyes popped open. “Holy shit! I don’t know whether to congratulate you or not.”

Thaddeus did the same and grinned. He moved next to Aria, leaning over to mutter a stage whisper in her ear. “I warned you, Aria. Once you True Mate, you’re pregnant like two seconds later.”

Her laughter came from deep inside, welling up and bubbling over. They still had a horrible ordeal, but for this moment, the people she had come to care about most were around her. Lukas’ arm tightened around hers and he drew her against his chest, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

“I have to go, Aria. I love you.”

He reluctantly drew his arms away, and she cupped his face in her hands, her gaze traveling over the tiny laugh lines at the corners of his amazing eyes, down the scar that lined his face, and back to the soft curves of his lips. She pressed a kiss to them, and then backed away.

The Council members herded them towards the circle. Tessa stood in the center, waiting. Everyone gathered around the edge. Haemon stripped off his shoes and strode to the center.

Lukas turned to Aria, pulling her close. He kissed her and then kissed his palm, resting it over her belly button. Tears clogged her throat. His lips returned to hers once more, then he walked away.

Ella pressed a handkerchief to her palm, and Aria mopped her face with the square of cloth.

Tessa raised one hand. “When I exit the circle, you may begin. Remember, do not step outside the boundaries before the end.”

Backing quietly away, Tessa stepped gingerly over the edge of her marks, muttering something. The circle pulsed and settled. The two men sized each other up. Lukas appeared to have the advantage; he was several inches taller, and broader of chest and muscle. But he’d been hurt, and running for an unknown time. Aria clasped her hands, her arms shaking in an effort to appear nonchalant.

She could not say Haemon was without skill. She’d seen him fight, and despite his smaller size, his muscles were as chiseled as Lukas’ and had the advantage of a good meal and entire day’s rest.

“How would you prefer to do this, Lukas? As men, as wolves, or both?” Haemon had dropped all pretense of politeness.

Lukas gave a curt nod. “Your choice,
Challenger
.”

Chapter Thirty-two

Haemon’s body shifted, his face lengthening, canines dropping down under his lips. The sound of ripped clothes struck the air, their ruined garments fell to the ground. Lukas’ eyes glowed in the reflected moonlight.

Snarling, Haemon lunged, his jaws snapping dangerously close to Lukas’ throat. The Council and Pack Guards moved closer to the circle. Lukas dug claws into Haemon’s arms. First blood. Thaddeus and Lawrence howled their approval next to her.

Aria felt Ella’s presence behind her. Uncurling her hands, she fumbled in the darkness, catching Ella’s fingertips and squeezing.

Lukas latched onto Haemon’s shoulder when he was too slow to spin out of the way.

“Now,” Aria whispered, squeezing and releasing Ella’s hand. She resisted the urge to turn and watch her retreat into the shadows. She focused again and lurched when Haemon’s paw ripped a line down Lukas’ chest.

Lawrence grabbed her elbow. “It’s a flesh wound, Aria.”

She nodded. His blood seemed too real, too bright in the moonlight. Her toes were at the edge of the ring, and she ached to help. Around the rim of the circle, the others crowded close, focused on the combatants. Lukas and Haemon circled, both bleeding. With a feint and a lunge, Lukas and Haemon crashed to the ground, snarling and snapping, rolling so close, Aria could have touched Lukas’ back.

She was so intent on Haemon’s claws buried in Lukas’ shoulder blade, she missed the glance he sent her way. His large paw flexed, releasing Lukas and slamming into her chest. Blackness cracked the edges of her vision, and she struggled to get her breath back. Blue light flickered on Thaddeus and Lawrence’s features where they crouched above her.

She heard Aaron call an end to the Challenge. Lukas roared and surged forward, but stopped from helping her by the group of Council Guards that tackled both him and Haemon.

Aria sat up, Lawrence supporting her back. Thaddeus looked around suddenly. “Where is—?”

Aria dug her fingers into Thaddeus’ ankle. He glanced down suspiciously. She shook her head, and he swallowed the rest of his statement.

Jonas stepped between the two combatants. Aria knew he would be making the pronouncement of a stalemate and both Haemon and Lukas’ deaths. He never got the chance. Haemon’s face lit with a mad light. His muscles bunched and moved quickly, tossing the guards around him like sacks of garbage. One swipe of his paw silenced Jonas permanently.

The guards holding Lukas were stunned, they didn’t move until it was too late. Haemon sank his teeth into Lukas’ neck. Aria screamed, struggling to sit up. Pain lanced through her side, her ribs grinding at the sudden movement. Suddenly, Ella crouched in front of her, pressing a small silver bowl into her hands. One side was missing a piece.

“Help me up.” She couldn’t contain her fury.

Everything around her ran in slow motion. Haemon’s jaws relaxed slightly, and he released Lukas, tossing him to the side. His form wavered, and he strode, naked and covered in blood towards her.

She jerked the necklace from her neck, allowing the silver chain to pool uselessly at her feet. Her fingers gripped the piece tightly as Haemon approached, victory lighting his features.

“Give me the chalice, Aria. Only I can make it whole. Only I can control it.”

His wildness went beyond mere madness. Aria fingered the cup in her fingers. Moonlight filtered through the crowd gathered, boosting her waning spirits. She could see Lukas’ form on the ground over Haemon’s shoulder. Her heart ached, unable to make out if Lukas was still breathing.

Terror, sadness and anger caught her by surprise and a sob escaped. She forced herself to look at what she held. The silver necklace had always channeled her power—enhanced it. The bowl in her hands, made of silver, cast with magic, blood and the body of an ancient god made her power swell. It filled her and momentarily allowed her tight control over her emotions. Her skin glowed in the moonlight.

“Give it to me, Aria.”

She turned the chalice over in her hands. “I don’t think so, Haemon. I want you to watch, to see it when it’s completed. But you won’t touch it.”

“Stupid bitch. You have never been my match.” His muscles bunched as if preparing to spring at her. Aria’s smile made him pause.

“You’re right, you know.” She kept her tone conversational with effort. Her throat ached with the need to scream. “I have never been your equal. You could never match me, Haemon Thessangelos.”

She fitted the missing piece, her fingertips snapping it into the empty groove. Pushing at it with her magic, she waited for the fireworks, flames—anything. Except, nothing happened. 

Haemon’s body hunched, and he snarled. He reached for the bowl. Thaddeus and Lawrence shot to her side, hands outstretched to stop Haemon.

Lukas’ fist swiped at him, blood spattering the bowl and Aria. She jerked. Haemon’s body slid to the ground, hands held out to her. A huge gash appeared across his neck and chest, his life slowly leaking to the ground. Lukas swayed behind him. Aria had to blink twice to understand the sight before her. Lukas hadn’t just delivered a killing blow. He’d somehow captured Haemon’s soul. It flickered in the moonlight like an old movie projection, caught in Lukas’ grasp.

A collective hush rose in the air. The spirit attached to Lukas’ hand did not move, but slumped just as his body did. Aria caught his gaze and he lifted his good shoulder. “When you die, you leave a little of yourself on the other side. It gives one unusual abilities.”

“Unusual?” she asked.

Her attention turned to the chalice. The glow surrounding her developed tendrils that swirled around the bowl like mist. She clutched at it, watching the spattered blood and magic soak into the crevices, solidifying the cracks. Soft oaths flew around her, but she watched Lukas. No one else mattered. No one dared come near; no one wanted to touch her. Her skin pulsed with magic, glowing bright enough to light up the darkness around her. Cern should have been here long ago. She scanned the crowd then stopped at the image that met her eyes.

No one was prepared for the sight of the tall, muscular man wearing leather pants and sporting a full rack of antlers. He took in the scene, a feral grin lighting his lips. The air around him vibrated with power. Aria’s magic was a candle to Cern’s roaring fire.

When he passed by the Council members, Aria saw Tessa shrink into the crowd.

He stopped in front of them. One bare toe nudged Haemon’s body, chest still rising and falling weakly. Blood coated the ground around him. 

“You have my thanks, Aria.”

Cern stretched out one hand. “You must willingly give me the chalice. I cannot take it from you.”

Lukas dropped to one knee, a hand pressed to the gaping wound at his shoulder and neck. His body glistened with blood. He released his fist, and Haemon’s spirit moved back to his body.

Aria’s, tears clogged her throat. “Can you help him? Please?”

Cern shook his head. Aria’s heart dropped to her feet, and she thrust the chalice into Cern’s hand. Her body protested the quick movements as she hovered over Lukas, pressing her hands to the wound. His eyelids dropped to half-mast.

“You are beautiful in the moonlight,” he whispered.

Hot tears coursed down her cheeks. “Don’t you dare. I’ve already lost you once. I won’t lose you, again.”

Lukas’ hand flopped awkwardly on her shoulder. His breath came in shallow, erratic puffs as if death clawed at him to break into his body.

“Please, Cern, there must be some way you can help.”

His whisper was kind. “I don’t have to. You have the power, and we know you have the will. Make him well.”

Her attention returned to Lukas, not comprehending for a moment. The sight of her glowing hands on his body gave her an idea, and she went with it. Gathering her power, she turned her energy on Lukas. She envisioned the power surrounding him, healing his injuries. He had to live. For a few moments, there was nothing. Then, slowly at first, and then faster, the glow covering her skin moved down Lukas’ arm like shards of lightening, encasing both their bodies. He groaned as it struck his wounds. The magic flowed over him, brightening over the cuts and sores on his body. When it faded into his skin, shiny white scars winked at her.

Lukas’ eyelids fluttered, and he struggled to sit up. Aria pulled his head to her shoulder, relief replacing the fear. Later she would think through all of this. She’d always assumed the necklace gave her power. Now she wasn’t sure. But for the moment, they were both alive, and that was all she wanted. She looked back at Cern. “Thank you, Cern.” A tired smile formed. “Or would you prefer Cernunos?”

He shrugged. “Whichever.” The chalice shrunk in his large hand, and he dropped it in to a pouch, hanging from his waist. “I appreciate the help. This one”—he bent, locking fingers around Haemon’s wrist—“has much to answer for.”

Thaddeus, standing next to Haemon’s body, was puzzled. “He’s dead.”

Cern’s expression made Aria shiver. He stood up, a filmy image of Haemon in his grip. “Ever heard of the Wild Hunt, Thaddeus?”

Slowly, he nodded. His Adam’s apple bobbed twice, and Ella burrowed under his arm. “You’re making him a wraith?”

Cern turned to Aria. “What do you think? A fitting punishment?”

Aria tightened her hold on Lukas. A part of her shied in horror at anyone forced to trail along the Wild Hunt’s procession of wraiths, phantoms, and hellhounds. The other part of her relished the idea of karma biting Haemon in his narrow spectral ass. “Who am I to argue with the Lord of the Hunt?”

Cern laughed. “You will make an interesting go of life. I will enjoy checking in on you.”

“Checking in on me?”

“You and I are blood-bound, Aria. Your offspring will share that bond. I will be watching your family for many years to come.”

It was a struggle to keep her expression neutral. She nodded. “Until the next time then.”

Cern tipped her chin up with one finger. “You’ve done me a great service, and I thank you. More than blood-bound, we are friends, Aria. Should you need my help, you have only to call.”

He rose, jerking on Haemon’s spirit until it ripped free of his body. The phantom’s eyes opened, took in Cern, and then noticed his own broken body. Aria wasn’t sure his cries would ever fade from her nightmares.